We were drilled to believe that 'the commandments of God' meant the Ten Commandments, and specifically, the Sabbath. It’s the main reason the church claims to be God's visible remnant. But let's look at this honestly: Does Revelation 12:17 actually point us back to Sinai, or is it directing us straight to the Cross?
Short answer: no. When you look at the original Greek and the actual storyline of the New Testament, "the commandments" here refers to the total package of the Christian faith under the New Covenant. It's all about Jesus. Here is why.
The Greek Words: Entole vs. Nomos
Let's look at the language. If the Apostle John wanted to point his readers to the Law of Moses, the whole system of 613 laws, which includes the Ten Commandments, he had the perfect Greek word for it: νομος (nomos).
But John didn't use nomos in Revelation 12:17. In fact, he doesn't use it anywhere in the entire Book of Revelation.
Instead, he uses εντολη (entole). This word is much broader. It means an instruction, a rule, or a teaching. In the New Testament, entole is used for all sorts of things: a father instructing his son (Luke 15:29), apostolic instructions (Acts 17:15), and the specific teachings Jesus gave His followers (John 13:34-35).
Because entole has such a wide range of meanings, forcing it to mean "The Ten Commandments" just doesn't work textually. Contextually, the subject of Revelation 12 is Jesus Christ and His New Covenant church, so the most logical meaning is the instructions given to Christians under the New Covenant.
John’s Writing Style
You also have to look at how John writes across all his books. He is incredibly consistent. He always uses nomos when talking about the Old Covenant system. But he always uses entole when talking about the New Covenant teachings of Jesus.
So, what are these commandments (entole) to John? He defines them point-blank in 1 John 3:23-24:
"And this is his command [entole]: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us..."
For John, keeping God's commandments isn't about looking back to Mount Sinai. It’s looking at the cross. It’s believing in Jesus and loving each other.
The Old Covenant is Obsolete
This is where New Covenant Theology really clears things up. You can't apply Revelation 12:17 to the Ten Commandments because the Old Covenant, which is the Ten Commandments, has already fulfilled its purpose and been retired.
Think about it: The Ten Commandments were an exclusive contract between God and the nation of Israel, not the Gentiles (Deut. 5:2-3; Romans 9:3-4). And it was a package deal. You can't just slice out the Ten Commandments and ignore the rest of the 613 laws. If you enforce the Old Covenant today, you have to enforce all of it, including physical circumcision (Gal. 5:3; James 2:10).
"Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law." Galatians 5:3(NIV)
"Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law." Galatians 5:3(NIV)
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:10(NIV)
But the New Testament is clear: the Old Covenant system was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). We are no longer under it (Galatians 3:24-25). We aren't lawless, though. We’re under a better covenant. We follow the Law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21), written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit, not carved on stone.
The "Ten Words"
There’s also a historical translation detail that seals this. The early Christians read the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint). When that translation referred to the Ten Commandments, it didn't use the phrase "commandments of God" (entolas tou theou). It translated the Hebrew literally as δέκα λόγους (deka logous) or δέκα ῥήματα (deka rhemata), the "Ten Words" (Exodus 34:28).
If John wanted his readers to immediately think of the Ten Commandments in Revelation 12:17, 14:12, or 22:14, he would have used the familiar phrase "Ten Words." He didn't.
When Revelation 12:17 talks about the remnant who "keep the commandments of God," it’s describing faithful Christians holding onto the Gospel. It’s about people trusting the finished work of Jesus and loving one another through the Holy Spirit, even under heavy persecution. It isn't a secret code for Sabbath-keeping. It’s a declaration of New Covenant faith.
It’s so easy for us to get stuck checking religious boxes. We want to make sure we rest on the exact right day, eat the right foods, and follow the old rules to prove we’re part of the "true remnant." But Jesus simplified things, and honestly, He raised the standard way higher than the Ten Commandments ever did. He called us to love others exactly how He loved us, with radical grace and sacrifice.
Let's stop looking at the stone tablets of Sinai for our identity. Look to the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out the actual New Covenant command today: Who in your life needs to experience the grace of Jesus through you? Go and show them that love.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
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